Rich Nugent

WASHINGTON -- Mitch McConnell's debut as the new Senate majority leader served at least one worthy Republican cause. It made Speaker of the House John Boehner, who easily turned back an intraparty challenge on the other side of the Capitol, seem the soul of sweet reasonableness by contrast.

On opening day of the new session in the House, Boehner offered an olive branch to the mini-revolt against his re-election as speaker, and to House Democrats, saying, "All I ask and, frankly, expect, is that we disagree without being disagreeable." Only 25 GOP votes were denied him, split among a few challengers.

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WASHINGTON -- Mitch McConnell's debut as the new Senate majority leader served at least one worthy Republican cause. It made Speaker of the House John Boehner, who easily turned back an intraparty challenge on the other side of the Capitol, seem the...